The Final Giggle
Opera Home Manchester
Tuesday 29 July 2025
As soon as upon a time, there have been solely three terrestrial channels, and The Final Giggle imagines a gathering of a trio of comedy titans who dominated seventies mild leisure.
Author/Director Paul Hendy makes use of some neat theatrical tips to position Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe – sans Ernie – in an eerie rundown dressing room as they inform one another gags, and meditate on what makes them humorous.
On one degree, The Final Giggle is a hilarious recreation of a few of their greatest comedy moments, but it surely additionally takes us deep into the dependancy these sophisticated masters of mirth must laughs that takes a toll on their psychological and bodily well being.
Hendy makes use of Monkhouse, who was a comedy craftsman and is right here along with his well-known guide of jokes, to behave as a semi-straight man to 2 naturally gifted comics who might get massive laughs with the best materials.
All three actors have performed these comedy greats earlier than, in order that they have nice chemistry, seamlessly bringing them collectively to create a playful – but intensely – aggressive environment as they spar comedically. However additionally they subtly reveal the disappointment that their modern, Tony Hancock, noticed is an important a part of being humorous.
All three have clearly studied how their alter egos effortlessly timed gags again within the day and bounce off one another. There’s an old style riff as Eric will get out his ukulele to play a naughty George Formby track that’s so easy but comedy gold. There’s a little bit of enjoyable as all three stroll by a white gate in very alternative ways, utilized by Hendy to look at the subjectivity of humour as what works for one comedian gained’t work for somebody equally gifted.
Damian Williams as Cooper wears his trademark fez, and makes use of his years in panto to essentially seize the physicality and hangdog expression of the lugubrious comedy magician who might scale back audiences to hysterics with a fast look by the fourth wall. Simon Cartwright as the short witted perma-tanned Monkhouse has extra faux tan than the orange man within the White Home. He has to work tougher as a connoisseur of comedy principle, appearing as an observer of the opposite two, who’re compelled by the demons that drive most comics to clown round as they endlessly search the excessive that laughter brings.
Bob Golding as Morecambe has the voice and mannerisms down pat in addition to the comedian timing he developed working the music halls that earned him and his sidekick viewers hundreds of thousands each Christmas. Golding additionally cleverly essays Morecambe’s ambiguous emotions about being a part of a double act.
Regardless of the trio nailing the shtick and insecurities that made every of them nice, that is way more than a comedy Stars In Their Eyes, as every actor gives one thing way more delicate than apparent caricatures. They’re aided by Hendy’s perceptive writing, filled with comedy lore that gives a heady combine of snickers and reflections on the hidden price of getting laughs.
All three of their alter egos say they died onstage, and in two instances, just about did, however this forged does the precise reverse as they win gales of laughter all evening from a crowd who principally went to comedy faculty within the seventies.
The Final Giggle is a welcome journey down reminiscence lane for youngsters of the seventies, however for many who didn’t see these TV gods mild up the small display screen again within the day, you may simply sit again marvelling at how all three might tickle your humorous bones with the slightest of fabric.
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The Final Giggle is on the Opera Home, Manchester till Saturday 2nd August after which touring. To guide, go right here:
All phrases by Paul Clarke
Pictures supplied by PR – with credit score to Pamela-Raith
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